An Elephant in the Garden

It’s 1944. Elizabeth's father is fighting with the German army on the eastern front. Her mother works at Dresden zoo, where her favourite animal is a young elephant named Marlene. When the zoo director tells her the dangerous animals must be shot to prevent them running amok when the town is bombed, Elizabeth's mother moves Marlene into the back garden to save her… and then the bombs start to fall.

Private Peaceful

Told in the voice of a young soldier, the story follows 24 hours in his life at the front during World War I, and captures his memories as he looks back over his life. Full of stunningly researched detail and engrossing atmosphere, the book leads to a dramatic and moving conclusion.

Night of the Twisters: The Most Dangerous Night of Their Lives...

When a tornado watch is issued one Tuesday evening in June, 12-year-old Dan Hatch and his best friend, Arthur, don't think much of it. After all, tornado warnings are a way of life during the summer in Grand Island, Nebraska. But soon enough things change and little do they know that even if they do survive the storm, their ordeal will have only just begun.

Shadow

A stunning and moving new novel from Michael Morpurgo, the nation’s favourite storyteller – featuring the bravest dog in all the world. When Hero, a bomb-sniffing spaniel, goes missing in the middle of wartorn Afghanistan, his soldier-owner is devastated. Meanwhile, Hero makes friends with a local Afghan boy, and sees a whole other side of the war. As Christmas draws ever closer, the question is – will Hero and his trainer ever be reunited?

Sgt. Reckless: America's War Horse

Hutton has now written a fascinating full biography of Sergeant Reckless, who earned two Purple Hearts for her heroic efforts, among other military decorations. Hutton has spoken with the marines who fought alongside Reckless and tells the complete and captivating tale of how a would-be Korean racehorse became one of the greatest Marine Corps wartime heroes. Sgt. Reckless brings the legend back to life more than half a century later.

Bridge to Terabithia

Jess Aarons' greatest ambition is to be the fastest runner in his grade. He's been practicing all summer and can't wait to see his classmates' faces when he beats them all. But on the first day of school, a new girl boldly crosses over to the boys' side and outruns everyone.That's not a very promising beginning for a friendship, but Jess and Leslie Burke become inseparable. Together, they create Terabithia, a magical kingdom in the woods where the two of them reign as king and queen.

My Dear I Wanted to Tell You: A Novel

The lives of two very different couples - an officer and his aristocratic wife, and a young soldier and his childhood sweetheart - are irrevocably intertwined and forever changed in this stunning World War I epic of love and war. Moving among Ypres, London, and Paris, this emotionally rich and evocative novel is both a powerful exploration of the lasting effects of war on those who fight - and those who don't - and a poignant testament to the enduring power of love.

Black Beauty

In this classic story, set in Victorian England, a well-born colt tells his life story, from his early years in a pleasant meadow to his experiences as an elegant carriage horse and then an overworked cab horse. As he passes from one owner to another, some gentle, some cruel, Black Beauty tells a moving tale of an animal's perspective on the human world.

Ruby Holler

"Trouble Twins" Dallas and Florida have been shuffled between foster families and the orphanage all their lives. All they want is a loving place to call home, but they are mistrustful that one exists for the likes of them.

Horse Gone Silent

Inspired by a true story, Horse Gone Silent delivers adventure, drama, and life lessons in a perfectly tidy package that will speak to your heart like no horse story ever has before. Champion show jumping horse Calebo gives a divinely critical message of hope in his inspirational tale of perseverance and courage. Calebo's story follows him from his charmed youth to the top of his sport to finding himself moments from death by slaughter.

The Black Stallion

When the steamer Drake is shipwrecked off the Spanish coast, only two passengers survive. One is Alec Ramsay, a young American boy. The other is the Black Stallion, the wildest of all wild creatures. Stranded together on a desert island, boy and stallion develop a deep and wonderful understanding. The Black Stallion is the horse Alec has always dreamed of - beautiful, free-spirited, and astonishingly strong. Alec is determined to tame him and bring him home to New York.

The Perfect Horse

In the chaotic last days of the war, a small troop of battle-weary American soldiers captures a German spy and makes an astonishing find - his briefcase is empty but for photos of beautiful white horses that have been stolen and kept on a secret farm behind enemy lines. Hitler has stockpiled the world's finest purebreds in order to breed the perfect military machine - an equine master race. But with the starving Russian army closing in, the animals are in imminent danger of being slaughtered for food.

Black Beauty: An Audible Original Drama

Framed as a first-person narrative from the eponymous horse, this much-loved family classic follows Black Beauty's journey from a well-born colt to a painfully overworked cab horse. Brimming with vivid detail and relatable characters, each chapter of Black Beauty's long and varied life communicates an important message about kindness, sympathy and understanding.

Fish in a Tree

Ally has been smart enough to fool a lot of smart people. Every time she lands in a new school, she is able to hide her inability to read by creating clever yet disruptive distractions. She is afraid to ask for help; after all, how can you cure dumb? However, her newest teacher Mr. Daniels sees the bright, creative kid underneath the trouble maker. With his help, Ally learns not to be so hard on herself and that dyslexia is nothing to be ashamed of.

Number the Stars

Ten-year-old Annemarie Johansen and her best friend Ellen Rosen often think of life before the war. It's now 1943, and their life in Copenhagen is filled with school, food shortages, and the Nazi soldiers marching through town. When the Jews of Denmark are "relocated," Ellen moves in with the Johansens and pretends to be one of the family. Soon Annemarie is asked to go on a dangerous mission to save Ellen's life.

Kensuke’s Kingdom

When Michael is washed up on an island in the Pacific after falling from his parents’ yacht, he struggles to survive on his own. He can’t find food and he can’t find water, and as Michael and his dog curl up to sleep, he knows they cannot last long. But he soon realises there is someone close by, someone who is watching over him and helping him to stay alive.

Going Solo

Going Solo is the action-packed tale of Roald Dahl's exploits as a World War II pilot. Learn all about his encounters with the enemy, his worldwide travels, the life-threatening injuries he sustained in a plane accident, and the rest of his sometimes bizarre, often unnerving, and always colorful adventures. Told with the same irresistible appeal that has made Roald Dahl one of the world's best-loved writers, Going Solo brings you directly into the action and into the mind of this fascinating man.

Pygmalion

Pygmalion remains one of the most popular stories, but mainly in the medium of the musical; the evergreen My Fair Lady. But much of the charm and wit comes from the words and timing in Shaw's original play. Here are the characters of Professor Higgins, his friend Colonel Pickering, and their charge, Eliza Doolittle.

Boy

Where did Roald Dahl get all of his wonderful ideas for stories? From his own life, of course! As full of excitement and the unexpected as his world-famous, best-selling books, Roald Dahl's tales of his own childhood are completely fascinating and fiendishly funny. Did you know that Roald Dahl nearly lost his nose in a car accident? Or that he was once a chocolate candy tester for Cadbury's? Have you heard about his involvement in the Great Mouse Plot of 1924? If not, you don't yet know all there is to know about Roald Dahl.

Lincoln's Last Days: The Shocking Assassination that Changed America Forever

In Lincoln’s Last Days, Bill O'Reilly masterfully adapts his historical thriller Killing Lincoln to appeal to a younger audience. This is a useful, inviting, and accessible book for younger listeners interested in American history and the Civil War. Both adults and children are sure to find this book irresistible on its own, or as a compelling companion to Killing Lincoln.

The Eighty-Dollar Champion: Snowman, the Horse That Inspired a Nation

November 1958, New York. Into the rarefied atmosphere of wealth and tradition at the National Horse Show in Madison Square Garden comes the most unlikely of horses—a drab white former plow horse named Snowman—and his rider, Harry de Leyer. They were the longest of all longshots—and their win was the stuff of legend.

Hatchet

Newbery Award-winner Gary Paulsen's best-known book comes to audio in this breathless, heart-gripping drama about a boy pitted against the wilderness with only a hatchet and a will to live. On his way to visit his recently divorced father in the Canadian mountains, thirteen-year-old Brian Robeson is the only survivor when the single-engine plane crashes. His body battered, his clothes in shreds, Brian must now stay alive in the boundless Canadian wilderness.

Teacher / music lover / book lover says:"Survival Story for Grades 5 or 6 through 8."

Secretariat

In 1973, Secretariat, the greatest champion in horse-racing history, won the Triple Crown. The only horse to ever grace the covers of Time, Newsweek, and Sports Illustrated in the same week, he also still holds the record for the fastest times in both the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes. He was also the only non-human chosen as one of ESPN's "50 Greatest Athletes of the Century".

The Heroes' Welcome: A Novel

Only 23, former soldier Riley Purefoy and his bride, Nadine Waveney, have their whole lives ahead of them. But Riley's injuries from the war have created awkward tensions between the couple, scars that threaten to shatter their marriage before it has truly begun.

Publisher's Summary

In 1914, a beautiful foal with a distinctive cross on his nose is sold to the Army and thrust into the midst of the war on the Western front. But his heart aches for Albert, the farmer's son he left behind. Will he ever see his true master again?

What does John Keating bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The different voices were most helpful in distinguishing the different characters and emotions. Great way to model reading to lower level readers.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, we read two chapters a day.

Any additional comments?

I used the audio version as a read along with my 7th grade class. We finished two days before the Christmas break and they were excited. They would come in and talk about how they saw the trailer for the movie that morning, or the night before. They wrote a short chapter review after each chapter and we discussed how the trailer followed the book. After the break, I am sure we will have further discussion on how the book and movie were the same and what were the differences. Overall, having the audio version that followed the book, word for word was a great way to keep them interested in reading.

As part of my WW1 reading I came across this story about a War Horse in WW1 so decided to read it. The narrator, John Keating did a great job reading the story. The story is told from the point of view of the horse just like Black Beauty. The use of the horse Calvary in WW1 was a good example of trying to fight the with the equipment and tactics of the past. Machine guns, tanks and gas made the use of the war horse a disaster. The story has Joey following another war horse through the German lines. He is captured and becomes a German war horse then later he returns to English hands. The boy that raised him joins the army veterinary corp in a hope to find Joey. Read the story you will find it interesting as just a story but you can also learn a bit of history.

As an avid horse lover I am always looking for another great horse book. This book is written from the point of view of a horse during WWI and tells of the harsh realities faced by both people and the horses. It doesn't go into so much detail that it wouldn't be safe for children however.

The book is even better than the movie and that’s saying a lot considering the movie is great. Interesting that in the book, the horse is the narrator since the story is from his point of view this makes sense and obviously would not work in a movie.

Possible Spoiler Alerts:

With that said, I love how the book answered all of the questions I had after watching the movie such as:

Unlike the movie, the father was supposed to buy a cow instead.

I hate the name of the horse, until I read that it was named Joey b/c the kid already had a horse named Zooey.

In the book, there is no mention of the father drinking because he went to war and they never had a war badge of honor that was carried around as it was throughout the movie.

Two German kids who abandoned the war because of a promise to their mother, weren’t in the book at all.

And after watching the movie, I was wondering why the Grandfather looked different at the end and in the book, it states that he looked different because it was supposed to be years later.

Would you consider the audio edition of War Horse to be better than the print version?

Liked the story even though it is as sad in places as BLACK BEAUTY. the lives of many horses is sad. The author rally knows horses and how they become attached to other horses and people. Really enjoyed the historical parts of it. <br/>

What was one of the most memorable moments of War Horse?

When

Have you listened to any of John Keating???s other performances before? How does this one compare?

no

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

yes

Any additional comments?

The book is listed a a book for young adults. Most of the people I know that have read it are considered elderly. They also got it for their grandchildren.

I am 50yrs old & first saw the stage play in London recently which is brilliant & inspired me to listen to the book. I love the combination of clever & engaging narrative, lovely characters & a wonderful story based on the realities of the first world war. What a wonderful history lesson without the lecture. I loved it from start to finish.

10 of 10 people found this review helpful

Faith

Billingham, United Kingdom

8/5/11

Overall

"Marvellous story - very well read"

Since this book is now a play and is being made into a film I thought I'd find out what all the fuss was about and download the audiobook. The story is about a horse called Joey and his experiences during World War 1. The book is touching and moved me to tears which was a bit inconvenient as I listen to audiobooks as I walk my dog! I'd thoroughly recommend this book to anyone who loves animals or just enjoys a great story well told. Can't wait to see how well it translates to the big screen (probably no where near as good as the book).

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

Amelia

United Kingdom

7/16/13

Overall

Performance

Story

"Beautiful Imagery Emotionally lifting and draining"

This is one of the most beautiful books I have ever had the pleasure of reading through listening. It is my first and only book so far by Mr Morpurgo. I thought the narrative by John Keating was ideally suited to the book and it enhanced my pleasure of it. The use of language was such that I felt part of the story from the beginning and felt every joy and hardship along the way It is such a wonderful story so beautifully told. I will listen to it again I know and would recommend it highly.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Mark

Woolhampton, Berks, United Kingdom

4/13/13

Overall

"Over-sentimental but beautifully written"

It is not easy to write a story from the point of view of a horse. I write fiction and have written a story from a horse's viewpoint so please trust me on this, However, Morpurgo pulls it off with a story that is bittersweet but lovingly crafted. The target audience seems to be the teenager but I found a great deal to like in the story and the performance was first rate. If you don't mind a touch of the mawkish, this is a very fine read.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

susan

Aldershot, United Kingdom

12/23/12

Overall

"Brilliant"

Absolutely brilliant I listened to the whole book in one just couldnt stop , a lovely lovely book , would recommend it to everyone ,so well described and a lovely easy to listen to voice ,

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

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